Table of contents for 14 February 2025 in Farmer's Weekly

The Road Freight Association (RFA) notes that Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy has approved the publishing of the Transnet Network Statement for the rail network in South Africa. The statement is aimed at facilitating open access to South Africa's rail network by third-party operators. Are we about to see great things, or are we doomed to a cycle of arguments and squabbles between various potential third-party operators, as recently seen at the Port of Durban? For years, the RFA has been vocal about the need for “revolutionary” change in our rail operations. Despite its current challenges, South Africa's rail network, with its extensive reach and some state-of-the-art infrastructure in certain areas, has the potential to become a cornerstone of the national economy, driving growth and creating numerous jobs. SOME NAGGING…

InterestingEngineering.com reported that a recent study by a group of international researchers has revealed that the Casarabe civilisation in Bolivia's Llanos de Moxos developed an advanced agricultural system that allowed them to cultivate maize throughout the year. Due to alternating periods of intense rainfall and drought, the seasonally flooded tropical savannah known as the Llanos de Moxos region posed serious challenges to agriculture. Nonetheless, between 500 and 1 400 CE, the Casarabe people developed a water management system that guaranteed steady maize production. They built farm ponds to hold water for irrigation in the dry months and drainage channels to avoid waterlogging during the rainy season. Because of this arrangement, maize could be harvested at least twice a year, making it a staple crop. Unlike the traditional slash-and-burn methods associated…

If you think the European Commission's (EC) goals for reducing pesticide use are unachievable, think again. This was according to António Graça, head of research and development at Sogrape, a family-owned wine producer based in Portugal, who told farmers at the Vinpro Nedbank Producer Day, held recently in Rawsonville in the Western Cape, that Portugal managed to reduce its pesticide usage by almost 40% between 2011 and 2021. Other European countries that achieved a reduction of more than 30% over this time include Czechia (36,9%), Croatia (35,5%), Luxembourg (34,3%), Denmark (33,3%), Bulgaria (32,7%), and Italy (30,4%). PROMOTING INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT Graça ascribed the reduction to the EC's promotion of integrated pest management (IPM) since the 1990s, which coincided with funding to help some farmers adapt. In Portugal, specifically, IPM became…

Sir De Villiers Graaff (De Villiers), Fourth Baronet of the Graaff family and De Grendel Wine Estate, is descended from three generations of impressive men: entrepreneurs, farmers, and statesmen – people who significantly shaped the Western Cape and South Africa as a whole. De Grendel has 85,25ha under vines, which is the main production focus. The farm stretches over almost 330ha on the fynbos-covered slopes of Tygerberg Hills in Panorama, Cape Town. “We can grow vine production to around 100ha, with pastures and grazing covering 150ha. We have 850 head of South African Meat Merino, 120 Angus cattle, and a herd of African goats. Free-range turkeys are a recent addition. We lease our 550 Holsteins to a farmer in Darling. “De Grendel has protected 120ha of critically endangered Renosterveld. Only…

Farming in South Africa is an expensive, high-risk industry. Rising input costs, unpredictable climate conditions, and market volatility have made it increasingly difficult for farmers to maintain financial stability. As a result, effective debt management has become critical to ensuring the survival of farms. For many farmers, debt is a necessary tool for expanding their operations, purchasing inputs, and covering operational expenses. However, outstanding or carry-over debt is a serious financial burden, placing farming businesses under extreme pressure until it is settled. In agriculture, where cash flow is often unpredictable, borrowing money is sometimes unavoidable. Farmers across generations have faced this predicament, and the key to overcoming it lies in how the situation is managed. Handled correctly, debt management can preserve valuable relationships with creditors, build long-term trust, and even…

Of course, if you follow the advice of someone who has been successful with growing onions, you are likely to also produce a good crop. But woe betide anyone who deviates from a successful formula without a good understanding of the intricacies of the crop and doesn't follow proven practices. One of the complexities is that some onion varieties are adapted to only initiate bulbing at certain day lengths. For instance, if you try to grow a variety adapted to perform in either the far northern or southern regions of the globe and plant these in short-day areas like those near the equator, the onions won't even attempt to make bulbs and will only grow like spring onions. In South Africa, we have varieties adapted to the north of the…

ACROSS 3. Belgian breed of large chicken usually with black-and-white herringbone-patterned plumage (7) 8. ______ weed (Salvinia molesta) is a free-floating invasive plant that infests lakes, dams, rivers, irrigation channels, etc. (6) 9. Indigenous (6) 10. Stream (7) 11. Plant with a fleshy waterstoring stem and leaves reduced to scales or spines (6) 12. Long, narrow vessel for feeding or watering animals (6) 13. Those who drive animals together and keep them grouped (7) 15. Hang down or grow weak (5) 18. Pear-based alcoholic drink (5) 21. One who provides food, entertainment, etc. for an event (7) 23. Umbelliferous plants (Pastinaca sativa) and their carrot-like edible roots (8) 24. Breed of chickens developed in Egypt, with grey-barred feathers (8) 26. Vibrations in the earth's surface (7) 27. Marsh plant with…

TO PLACE AN UPCOMING AUCTION EVENT in the Classifieds Auctions section, contact Rowena Nundkumar on 010 971 3774 or at rowenas@caxton.co.za. TO LIST AUCTION RESULTS in this section, email Janine Ryan at janiner@caxton.co.za. Market Report Barkly East Prestige Ram Auction HIGHEST: (RAM) R21 000 Barkly East – The Barkly East Prestige Ram Auction was held at the Barkly East Golf Club on 22 January. The highest price of the day was paid for a ram, which was sold by Johané and James Reeders of Cheviot Trust in Rhodes to Cronjé van der Merwe and Francois Nel of Rhodes for R21 000. Rams achieved an average price of R8 313,73, while ewes achieved an average of R1 562,20. The sale was held by BKB, with Jovaan Cloete as the auctioneer. –…

The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer's Weekly. This article was originally published by The Conversation. To read the original, visit bit.ly/40JoBPf. Naila Kabeer is a professor of gender and development at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Email N.Kabeer@lse.ac.uk. Chung-Ah Baek is a researcher at the University of Sussex's Institute of Development Studies (IDS). Email ids@ids.ac.uk. Deepta Chopra is a professor of gender and development at the IDS. Email d.chopra@ids.ac.uk. “Certain stereotypes about women have become commonplace in climate and development literature. One example is that women are either represented as ‘saviours’ who protect nature, or as ‘victims’ more vulnerable to climate impacts than men and less equipped to cope. Simple either/or ways of seeing women overlook the power…

MOST POPULAR ON FARMERSWEEKLY.CO.ZA EXTREME WEATHER AND CONFLICT DOMINATE GLOBAL RISKS REPORT The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report shows that respondents are concerned about extreme weather and conflict in the short to long terms. Read the full article at bit.ly/40yfeR3, or scan here: Posted: 27 January 2025. Follow us at @FarmersWeeklySA FROM FACEBOOK We asked our followers for their thoughts on the Expropriation Bill being signed into law, and some of them shared their opinions with us. Here's what they had to say: Posted: 26 January 2025. READERS’ COMMENTS Leon Bezuidenhout: “The land issue has been outstanding for 30 years. It needs to be solved now.” Adele Slater: “[It is] far worse than any legislation passed in Zimbabwe. The general public think it's only about agricultural land. The press…

‘The legislation needs to comply with the provisions of the Constitution and specifically the requirement that compensation must be just’ – Annelize Crosby, head of legal intelligence at Agbiz, on the need for the Expropriation Bill, recently signed into law, to adhere to the Constitution, despite allowing for expropriation without compensation (pg 15). ‘International governmental expert committees […] have condemned the use of CO2 gas as a stunning method’ – Dr Bryce Marock, consulting veterinarian for the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, on the allegations of inhumane slaughtering practices levelled at an abattoir in Gauteng (pg 16). ‘For biosecurity to be effective, [rabbit] carcasses need to be removed immediately’ – Len Coetzer, senior research technician at the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, on the biosecurity measures that…

Heavy rainfall across South Africa's northern and eastern regions has raised concerns about an increased risk of livestock diseases, such as bluetongue and lumpy skin disease. Dr Riaan du Preez, lead for technical and new business development at MSD Animal Health, told Farmer's Weekly that the excessive rain received in many parts of the country would likely have a significant effect on the occurrence of these diseases. Both these diseases are transmitted by biting insect vectors, amongst other means, which proliferate in standing water. “We have heard of some isolated increases in lumpy skin disease, but no outbreaks [have been reported] yet. However, insect populations might still be increasing dramatically, and any of these diseases can still break out,” he said. “Diligent flying insect control, with the use of pyrethroids,…

Dr Nicole Hart, CEO of Afrikelp, has risen in the fields of science and agriculture to her current position as CEO of Afrikelp, an international agricultural company based in Cape Town. Afrikelp is a proudly South African company, specialising in seaweed solutions extracted from Ecklonia maxima (sea bamboo) endemic to the Western Cape. The liquid kelp extracts, which serve as the cornerstone of Afrikelp's agricultural formulations, are used in over 45 countries worldwide, making a global impact on crop production. Throughout her career, Hart has obtained extensive experience in leading sales teams, acquisitions and integrations, driving product development, and directing research. Her technical expertise and strategic business mindset have served her well on her professional journey. AGRICULTURE IS IN HER BLOOD Hart was born on a farm in KwaZulu-Natal. She…

Farming is not just about planting and harvesting or raising livestock; it's also about managing finances effectively. Many farmers focus on production but underestimate the importance of sound financial management. Yet, financial stability is essential to ensure a farm's long-term profitability and sustainability. FINANCIAL LITERACY IN FARMING Financial literacy is the ability to understand and use financial skills like budgeting, investing, and risk management. Without financial literacy, even the most productive farms can struggle with debt, poor cash flow, and unsustainable practices. Farmers who implement sound financial management practices can: • Reduce debt and improve creditworthiness; • Maximise profit margins through cost control; • Make informed decisions regarding expansion and investment; • Ensure compliance with tax regulations and avoid legal penalties; • Maintain a steady and predictable cash flow to…

Heat stress in livestock poses a significant challenge for farmers, especially in regions with persistently high temperatures. As climate change exacerbates these conditions, it is becoming increasingly critical for farmers to recognise, manage and mitigate the impacts of heat stress to protect their livestock and maintain productivity. EARLY SIGNS OF HEAT STRESS Ranier van Heerden, business manager for ruminant solutions in sub-Saharan Africa at global chemicals company Evonik, says the early detection of heat stress in livestock is pivotal in mitigating its negative effects. Changes in behaviour are often the first indicators of heat stress. “Animals will actively seek shade, pant excessively, and salivate more than usual. In dairy cows, a drop in DMI [dry matter intake] and [subsequently] milk production could be a clear sign,” he explains. However, some…

Great Wall Motors (GWM) prides itself on being the longestserving local Chinese brand. After establishing itself as a proper player in the light commercial vehicle segment with the Steed and P-Series line-ups, it rolled out the P500, one of the biggest double cabs in the business. Separating the brand's new throne bearer from its garden variety fourcylinder turbodiesel contemporaries is its hybrid powertrain reserved for the topof-the-range Ultra Luxury. It is powered by a 2,0l turbo-petrol engine and electric motor with battery pack delivering a total system power output of 255kW, making it the most powerful bakkie in the country after the beastly petrol-driven V6 Ford Ranger Raptor (292kW). The downside to all this power is the P500's portly 2 575kg kerb mass, which sees the payload reduced to 735kg.…

Dear Jonno, My wife and I send this request for you to design a small yet comfortable home on our farm on the Vaal River. We will initially go there on the weekends only, but intend to retire there in three years’ time. The house must have an en-suite bedroom on either side of a centralised common area. The one bedroom will accommodate my manager and his wife in the short term. They will be there for security and developing the farm. The central common area must have a large veranda where we can sit and enjoy coffee and the view. There is a lovely stream in front. The land slopes forward from back to front about three metres to the river's edge. We will use as much local building…

The fourth edition of the AmberMacs Macadamia Expo is a must-attend for anyone in the macadamia industry. The expo has something for everyone, from seminars and presentations on macadamia farming and industry insights to live entertainment and a food court. The event will be held at the AmberMacs Processing Facility, and the first 1 000 visitors will each receive a goody bag filled with gifts from sponsors and exhibitors. Visit ambermacs.com/expo-2025. CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND EXPOS 21 FEBRUARY 2025 Waste to Energy Technology Conference, Emperors Palace Convention Centre, Kempton Park. Email Chris at chris@maphosam.co.za. 26 AND 27 FEBRUARY Gauteng Undercover Farming Conference and Expo, CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria. Email Marion Oosthuizen at marion@undercoverfarmingexpo.com, or phone 071 639 9300. 27 AND 28 FEBRUARY 5th Annual Africa ESG, Impact Investing & Sustainable Finance Summit,…

Dr Miekie Human, science and policy manager at the South African National Seed Organisation (SANSOR), grew up on a cattle farm in the small North West farming community of Nietverdiend. Growing up, she enjoyed farm life, and spent a lot of time up trees, reading books. She confesses, however, that she currently finds herself fully converted to a city girl. Success takes hard work and dedication, and for Human, it began early on in her life and continued throughout her studies and now her career. A LIFELONG STUDENT “I studied for a very long time, longer than my primary school career! Today, I still see myself as a student of life. I will always look for new opportunities to learn and grow,” she says. When Human started her undergraduate degree…

The Western Cape is a hub of fruit production in South Africa, providing the bulk of our stone and pome fruit. But farmers are reporting drier conditions, with most seeing vast reductions in annual rainfall. Joubert Stemmet, senior production manager at Elandsrivier Farming close to Ceres, says that while the farm has traditionally been dry and they have always had to work carefully with water, the 2023 season was particularly dry. “We received 133mm less rain than the average of the previous three years. Water is absolutely a source of life for all of us. In this valley there are farms whose dams are overflowing, but we are unfortunately not in that position. At this point, I think we have just enough water to get through the season.” Further north…

It's raining hard, the grass is long and green, and the horses are chewing lazily on teff nets in the stables. They are all shiny, fat and very unfit. The lunging ring is 30cm deep in water – although it's designed to drain as it's made of sand. There is a huge debate on whether to lunge the horses on the slippery grass, or get them splashing knee-deep in the ring. THE BEST OPTION The ring is the best option. It's a good idea to get show horses used to water in the summer rainfall areas, especially as the main show is Horse of the Year, and although the date is shifting away from January towards March, it's going to be muddy. Many top riders show at this event every…

I am a single black woman with no children. I come from Eswatini, but now I'm based in Johannesburg. I am 58 years old, 1,6m tall and weigh 57kg. I am looking for a white, kindhearted man between the ages of 60 and 70 for friendship. If you're interested, you can contact me. TAKE A CHANCE I would like to meet a decent white man in the region of 75 years of age. I was previously married to a farmer, and my son and son-in-law farm in the Eastern Cape. I am 1,7m tall, of average weight, and I've been told that I'm still attractive and presentable. I am versatile, do not drink or smoke, and I'm in good health. I would prefer a clean-shaven gentleman who does not smoke…

Steak with red wine sauce and asparagus SERVES TWO For the steak 2 medium-sized ribeye steaks (or whichever cut you prefer) 10ml Worcestershire sauce Olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste 90g butter, plus extra Half a medium-sized onion, peeled and finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 5ml honey 125ml red wine 15ml Dijon mustard 1 sprig thyme For the asparagus 15ml olive oil 30g butter 30g fresh garlic, minced 1 bunch fresh green asparagus Salt and pepper, to taste • Heat a pan on the stove, add the olive oil and butter and allow the latter to melt. Fry the garlic for a minute or two, then add the asparagus in an even layer. Cook until browned, turn over, and season to taste. • Take the steaks out of…